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Press Release:
August 29, 2007 ŌĆō Torrance, CA ŌĆō The Lexus RX 400h, launched in 2006 and featuring Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, set a new benchmark for environmental compatibility in a luxury-utility vehicle. Lexus is the only luxury brand to offer three hybrid vehicles, the RX 400h, the GS 450h sport sedan, and the all-new LS 600h L flagship sedan.
Significant both for being the first Lexus hybrid vehicle as well as for launching a new era in luxury vehicles, the RX 400h has sold more than 50,000 units since its launch RX 400hand now accounts for nearly 20 percent of all RX model sales. Lexus last year broadened the RX 400hŌĆÖs appeal with the addition of a new front-wheel-drive model and revised both standard and optional equipment. For 2008, the RX 400h is distinguished by detail trim changes including a new grille finish, chrome door handles and new blue hybrid emblems. The blue badge color is a consistent feature on all Lexus hybrid models. A body-color rear-gate spoiler adds a sporty new styling touch, and the available five-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels feature a new finish. The RX 400h is available in seven new colors for 2008. Inside, Black BirdŌĆÖs Eye Maple wood trim is available with the Light Gray leather interior.
ŌĆ£Lexus has shown with the RX 400h that a luxury utility vehicle can be made more environmentally compatible while still delivering the performance, luxury and utility that make these vehicles so popular,ŌĆØ said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.
A leap forward in hybrid technology with its enhanced-performance capability, the RX 400h hybrid combines the power of a 3.3-liter V6 gasoline engine with that of an electric drive motor to deliver performance on par with some V8-powered luxury SUVs ŌĆō but with better fuel efficiency. The all-wheel-drive RX 400hŌĆÖs EPA-estimated city/highway rating is 26/24 mpg. The RX 400h front-wheel-drive model has an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 27 mpg city/24 mpg highway (For model year 2008, the EPA has revised the way the estimated fuel economy rating is determined. Actual mileage will vary).
The RX 400h achieves Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification in California (Tier 2-Bin 3 in other states), producing nearly 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car. The RX 400h is also certified as a zero-evaporative emissions vehicle in California and those states adopting California standards.
Seamless power delivery of the hybrid powertrain is another plus for the RX 400h. The generous combination of engine and electric-motor torque makes city and highway driving seem effortless, with particularly impressive 30-50 mph passing power.
Visually, the RX 400h differs from the conventionally powered RX 350 model in subtle ways. The RX 400h features a unique grille design, a different front fascia with additional air intake and round fog lamps, and Light Emitting Diode (LED) tail lamps. Specific suspension tuning gives the RX 400h sportier handling than the RX 350. Inside, in place of a tachometer, a power meter displays the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain. The driver can also monitor the gas-electric power distribution on the multi-information display or on the optional navigation systemŌĆÖs seven-inch touch panel display screen.
Traditional RX Luxury
The RX 400h closely follows the RX 350 in terms of standard and optional equipment, featuring a standard high-quality fabric interior, with leather trim available in several option packages. Ten-way power front seats are standard and feature a power lumbar adjustment. In addition to the standard brushed aluminum interior accents, customers can also specify wood trim with any interior color.
The Lexus Navigation System with rear back-up camera integrates Bluetooth® wireless capability and voice activation and is now offered in an option package with the Mark Levinson® Premium Audio system. Customers can order High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), which helps to illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.
Lexus Hybrid Drive Technology
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system is one of the most advanced powertrains in the world, yet it operates so seamlessly that it enhances the luxury experience rather than calling attention to itself. The system combines a V6 engine with a high-torque electric drive motor-generator. In the all-wheel-drive model only, an additional, rear-mounted electric-drive motor/generator provides on-road, all-wheel-drive capability.
With a combined system output of approximately 268 horsepower, and 3,500 lb.-ft. of axle torque at launch, the RX 400h delivers rapid acceleration. At 7.3 seconds (7.5 for the all-wheel drive model), acceleration from zero to 60 mph is better than some V8-powered competitors.
The RX 400h is a ŌĆ£full hybrid,ŌĆØ which means it can operate in electric-only or gas-engine-only modes as well as a mode that combines the power of the gas engine and electric motor. Lexus Hybrid Drive technology allows extended electric-mode operation during low speed or stop-and-go driving conditions, reducing fuel consumption and noise.
Energy is stored by a 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack that fits neatly under the rear seat. The batteryŌĆÖs power is directed through a ŌĆ£boost converterŌĆØ that efficiently raises voltage to 650V DC. An inverter changes this to 650V AC, providing its elevated power to a front-mounted 123-kW electric motor that turns as high as 12,400 rpm.
The RX 400h front-wheel-drive modelŌĆÖs hybrid powertrain employs two motor-generators. Known as MG1 and MG2, each one performs specific functions and each does double duty as a motor and a generator (although MG1 is a starter and provides no motive force). The engine-driven generator (MG1) can charge the battery pack or power other electric motors as needed. The all-wheel-drive RX 400h adds a third motor-generator, MGR, to drive the rear wheels.
Advanced Hybrid Transmission
Power from the gas engine and front electric drive motor (MG2) is distributed to the drive wheels via a planetary gear-type continuously variable transmission, which eliminates specific gear ratios. Two planetary gear units are used in the system. The Power-Split unit divides the engineŌĆÖs drive force two ways: one to drive the wheels and the other to drive MG1 so it may function as a generator. The Motor Speed Reduction unit reduces the speed of MG2 and increases its drive torque, significantly boosting acceleration performance.
MG2 produces peak torque from zero-to-1,500 rpm, giving the RX 400h powerful and instantaneous response in low- and mid-speed performance, especially in 30-50 mph merging and passing maneuvers. In addition to its motor/generator duties, MG1 also functions as a starter motor for the gas engine and as a regulator for the amount of electrical power it generates.
MG1 controls the output speed of the transaxle through the planetary gear set, without clutches or a viscous coupling. This is one of the key elements of the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain and is how it eliminates the ŌĆ£shift shockŌĆØ that is typically felt as even the most refined modern automatic transmissions change gears.
The all-wheel-drive RX 400h model uniquely generates rear-wheel power with a separate 50-kW electric motor (MGR) that provides up to 650 lb.-ft. of additional drive torque on demand. Thus, the RX 400h does not require power-transfer gearing or a driveshaft from the front. The system electronically varies front and rear torque distribution depending on traction conditions.
Fuel-Conserving Partners
The power-steering pump, water pump and air-conditioning compressor are driven electrically rather than by the engine. This feature is necessary because the gas engine often shuts down ŌĆō a fuel-saving benefit of the hybrid system ŌĆō especially when the vehicle is stopped or driven slowly through traffic. Driving these components electrically also reduces parasitic losses to the engine and improves fuel consumption.
A regenerative-braking system further boosts efficiency. When the RX 400h is coasting or its brakes are applied, the electric motors function as generators, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes and transforming it into useable electricity to recharge the batteries.
VDIM: Beyond Stability Control
The RX 400h was the first Lexus model to feature Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). This vehicle stability control system goes well beyond conventional controls that simply react to challenging conditions. Instead, VDIM anticipates loss of traction in a turn and can help make corrections while allowing higher dynamic capability.
Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB) are a vital element of VDIM. This advanced braking system translates brake pedal stroke speed and pressure and generates the precise amount of combined electric regeneration and hydraulic pressure needed for virtually any driving condition.
Under guidance from VDIM, such precise brake control at individual wheels helps allow optimized operation of the vehicleŌĆÖs dynamic handling systems that employ the brakes, including the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC). VDIM also interfaces with the electronic throttle control system, allowing it to control vehicle power when needed, and an electric power steering system. The compact steering unit contributes to fuel economy by eliminating the traditional power-steering pump and by providing computer-controlled assist only when called for by the driver.
VDIM continuously calculates vehicle motion based on signals from a yaw rate and deceleration sensor, speed sensor and steering sensor. Using these inputs, VDIM controls all of the vehicleŌĆÖs dynamic handling systems and can employ them collectively and seamlessly, which can allow it to quickly detect and then correct the onset of a loss of traction in turns and help. The ability to operate proactively means that corrections to vehicle handling are typically faster, more accurate and subtler than traditional systems, making VDIM feel smoother and essentially transparent to the driver.
Comprehensive Safety Systems
The RX 400h features the same passive-safety protection for occupants as the RX 350 model. A high-strength cabin design and comprehensive Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) are designed to help provide a high level of crash-energy management for the occupants.
SRS includes advanced front airbags for the driver and passenger, a knee airbag for the driver and front-seat-mounted side airbags. Side-curtain airbags are designed to help offer additional crash energy-management for the front- and rear-seat occupants. A roll sensor signals the side- curtain airbags to inflate if a predetermined threshold of vehicle tip-up is detected.
Lexus Luxury and Impressive Utility
The RX 400h does not sacrifice space, comfort or versatility to deliver the benefits of hybrid technology. The rear seatbacks feature a versatile 40/20/40-split design, and the seats offer both sliding and reclining adjustments. The approximately 38-cubic-foot rear-cargo capacity expands to nearly 85 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded down. An automatic retracting tonneau cover adds a measure of security and convenience to the cargo area.
Lexus craftsmanship and renowned attention to detail provide true luxury by design. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control and 10-way power front seats with memory. The steering wheel features easy-to-use integrated controls for the audio system, trip computer and multi-information display in the speedometer. A rear back-up camera, part of the available navigation package, projects a color image of what the camera lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the navigation screen when reverse gear is engaged.
Because Lexus luxury also means outstanding convenience, the RX 400h comes equipped as standard with an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated digital compass; auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors; a power-rear lift gate, and integrated HomeLink® transmitter. Comfort and convenience extend to the smallest details in the RX 400h, such as adjustable lights in the visor vanity mirrors and illuminated front cup holders. A water-repellant surface on the front side windows helps to bead rainwater.
The RX 400h can be enhanced by a number of luxury options available separately or in packages. Some include power tilt/telescope steering wheel with memory, power tilt/slide moonroof with one-touch open/close feature and jam protection, memory for driverŌĆÖs seat and outside mirrors, towing-preparation package, roof rack and roof rails, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control, which measures and helps maintain a set distance from a vehicle traveling ahead.
The standard Lexus Premium Audio system features an in-dash, six-disc CD changer. For the audiophile, the quiet interior of the RX 400h provides an ideal environment to enjoy the optional Mark Levinson® Premium Audio system that plays through 11 speakers. A sound-positioning feature optimizes speaker usage depending on occupant location. Rear-seat passengers can enjoy the optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system with individual wireless headphones and a large nine-inch LCD screen.
Lexus Navigation System
The optional Lexus Navigation System allows the driver to input a desired destination by voice command while driving. A central VGA screen features a high resolution 800├Ś480 pixel display in 32,000 colors. On-screen details are crisp and clean, and maps and roads include 3D shadow effects.
Text-display choices include English, Spanish and French, and the user can select the language preference at system start-up. System functions include multiple route calculation, route preview, simplified highway-junction graphics and a dual-map screen mode. The DVD map database contains more than five million points of interest. The database for Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New York includes a ŌĆ£building footprintŌĆØ display feature that can show graphic representations of buildings and structures to help the driver identify surroundings.
The navigation system also integrates Bluetooth® wireless technology. When combined with a compatible phone, Bluetooth allows the driver to transfer personal phone books to the navigation system and make hands-free phone calls through its touch-screen control panel.
Premium Protection
All new Lexus vehicles come with a 48-month/50,000-mile basic limited warranty with roadside assistance for 48-months/unlimited miles. Powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. Corrosion perforation protection is covered for 72 months, regardless of mileage. The hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles.
Price this car:
MSRP: $43,235 ŌĆō $44,825
Invoice: $39,343 ŌĆō $40,789
Source: Lexus Press Release (pressroom.toyota.com)

subset: commoncrawl


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Travess Smalley's Composition in Clay 35.7, part of Rhizome's Paddle 8 auction, is on the front page of Rhizome.org through the auction's end this Friday at 3pm EST.
"I think of the home office as the studio," Travess Smalley contends, an interest which is reflected in his use of the flatbed scanner as image-making tool and sculptural object. This embrace of the basics of domestic computing culture speaks to the interests of the "surf club" generation of artists, who in the mid- to late-aughts used group blogs (Smalley was a member of one called Loshadka) to make conversational, collaborative net art out of memes, links, and the semiotics of the web.
And yet Smalley's process of layering clay on the scanner bed, scanning the composition, and digitally altering the result to create a photographic print (as in the piece at auction), results in works relating as much to digital culture as to pop art (think, Jasper Johns), contemporary process abstraction (Gerhard Richter), and early photographic experimentation (Henry Fox Talbot's impressions).


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Welcome to Visible Authority
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The 27 Videos That Build Your Audience, Grow Your Authority and Raise Your Sales
These are 27 videos you can make that will make a big difference in your world. Go inside and pick out the ones that will work the best for you!
The First 20 Seconds
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Change minds and hearts and show up as an authority, when you start every video right.
The Secret Structure of a Viral Sales Video
The Secret Structure of a Viral Sales Video
A video that runs less than 2 minutes and sells more than $2,000,000 is something worth studying. So I did. And I found something astonishing. Writing an awesome sales video can be so much easier than you thought.


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$250,000 Subway Typo: MTA Prints 80,000 New Maps With Incorrect Information
A $250,000 subway typo has been made by the MTA. It appears as though just days after hitting commuters with a fare hike, the MTA released $250,000 worth of new subway maps displaying outdated fare information.
According to the New York Post, a transit source has said, "They're very embarrassed about this. They were frantically calling the booths trying to get these maps back."
However, they were unable to recall all the thousands of maps, and many people have already been handed out the outdated maps with the incorrect fares. One of the bad maps obtained by the NY post lists the false information that the minimum price for a pay-per-ride card is $4.50. However, following the recent pay rises it should read $5.
It is estimated by sources at the Transit Workers Union Local 100 that about 80,000 bad maps were printed, which would have cost approximately $250,000.
It has also been reported that the MTA was only printing the new maps to cater for the fare hikes, making their mistake even more embarrassing.
The MTA is now being forced to print a new batch of maps again, which should be distributed to outlets on or after March 15, according to NY Post sources.
The MTA has refused to offer any details about their mistake, although a spokesperson has admitted that it had distributed some bad maps to some station booths. No official information has been released though about how many maps were mistakenly printed or how much the mistake had cost the MTA.


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The major product offensive launched by Audi has paid off at the 2007 World Car of the Year Awards. The redesigned Audi TT took Design of the Year, and the RS4 cleaned up World Performance Car for two globe-shaped trophies to add to the display case back at Audi global HQ. The Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec used a high degree of turbodiesel precision and luxury along with some urea to win in the World Green Car category, and the Lexus LS 460 employed its long wheelbase to roll over some balloons and take the
New Jersey World Car of the Year title. The glad-handing award remained undecided.
North America Is Not Enough: New York Throws Down The World Car Of The Year Cock-Block; More Car of the Year Awards [Internal]


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HBO Films' Game Change (premiering on March 10th) follows John McCain's (Ed Harris) 2008 presidential campaign, from his selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (Julianne Moore) as his vice presidential running mate to their ultimate defeat in the general election. Told through the eyes of McCain strategist Steve Schmidt (Woody Harrelson), the man who championed Palin for the ticket, the film revisits a defining moment in U.S. politics. It pulls back the curtain to show the intense human drama, and the strength of the performances, especially from Harris, Moore and Harrelson, create a riveting story that you just can't stop watching, even though you know the final outcome. Directed by Jay Roach, the film also stars Ron Livingston, Peter MacNicol, Sarah Paulson, Jamey Sheridan and Bruce Altman.
During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, writer/co-executive producer Danny Strong talked about why he enjoys collaborating with Jay Roach (with whom he also did Recount with), why the Sarah Palin story is so intriguing and unique, the different types of research that he did in writing the film, his first reaction to seeing both Julianne Moore and Ed Harris in character, and Steve Schmidt's reaction to the final film. He also talked about the appeal of taking on screenwriter duties for The Lost Symbol, the next Robert Langdon story from author Dan Brown, that it looks like his script for The Butler (with Lee Daniels directing) will go into production in the next three of four months, and how he's looking forward to making his directorial debut. Check out what he had to say after the jump:
Collider: How did Game Change come about? Was it something you were approached about doing because of the reputation you had established by doing Recount?
DANNY STRONG: Yeah, it was a combination of that and the same director of Recount being attached to do this project. Jay Roach actually called me and said, "We've got this book, Game Change, and it's set up at HBO, and we just want to do the [Sarah] Palin story. Do you want to write it?" And, I literally said, "Yes!," on the phone call. I had read the book and I loved it, and I thought that was absolutely the best approach to it.
What do you enjoy about working with and collaborating with Jay Roach?
STRONG: Jay is not only the greatest guy you'll ever meet, but he's one of the smartest people you'll ever meet. He's extremely collaborative, he has all these great ideas, and he's just the kind of guy you love to be around 'cause he's such a good guy, so it inspires you to do your best work. And then, he keeps me involved in the process, after the script is written. He wants me to be on set and watch cuts of the movie, in post-production, and it really just makes for a wonderful experience and it makes you want to work with him, again and again, because he's so collaborative.
There's an ease to Jay, and I think it comes across in his work. He's also one of those guys where he's just a winner. His projects just win. He did all the Austin Powers movies, and they became phenomenons. He did Meet the Parents, and it was a phenomenon. And then, he produced Borat, and it was a phenomenon. Then, he did Recount and totally switched gears, and he won an Emmy for Best Director. When you're involved with him, you know that you're going to be doing a project that's going to end up at the highest quality that it can be, for what it's setting out to be.
Was there something that interested you in politics specifically, even before doing Recount, or was it more the specific stories that you found compelling with each?
STRONG: I spent so many years of my life as a stage actor and when you do all these plays, a lot of really great plays are very politically driven. They deal with deep social issues, and that's the kind of stuff that I love, as an audience member. So, when I initially pursued a writing career, I was writing high-concept comedies because that's much more along the lines of the kinds of movies that Hollywood wants to make. And, when I had no success at that, I thought, "Why don't I just do the kind of stuff that I love?," and I instantly gravitated towards this kind of politically-charged type of drama. That's when I had the big breakthrough with Recount.
Did you intentionally want to make sure this film easily understandable for people who aren't typically familiar with the intricacies of politics?
STRONG: We definitely wanted to make it as accessible as possible without dumbing it down, at the same time. It feels like a smart film, but it's one that we're hoping grabs you by the hand and takes you along with it.
When you approach a story about politics, do you have to always make sure you don't impose your own views on it, or is it easy to ensure that doesn't happen?
STRONG: The approach on this two movies has been not to approach them from a partisan level and not to talk about partisan politics. Ultimately, they're a discussion of the process of how we elect our presidents. As far as eliminating your own views, it's just the easiest thing in the world to do. Every single journalist that has any responsibility, does it every single day. You just have to look at the facts for what they are, and try to present them in a way that's as fair and as accurate as possible.
What do you think it is about the Sarah Palin story, specifically, that still makes it so intriguing and unique, even though it's been awhile since all of this happened?
STRONG: Partly, what makes it so fascinating is that it's the embodiment of the American dream. It's a person that no one had ever heard of, including the people that picked her to be the vice presidential candidate, and then, overnight, becomes the candidate for Vice President of the United States and is potentially one heartbeat away from being President of the United States. It really is an only in America story, in which an individual who is unprepared for the national stage almost became president.
How much research did you do, outside of what was in the book, and how challenging was it to condense all of that down to a two-hour movie?
STRONG: Condensing the information down into a story is always the challenge with these kinds of projects. It's partly why the Sarah Palin story works so well as a movie. From the moment she was picked until the end of the campaign was 60 days. It's a great, tight frame to do a really exciting narrative. Some of the other storylines in that book went from six months to two years long, which would have been significantly harder to dramatize into a two-hour movie.
As far as my own research, besides what was already in the book, I went out and interviewed 25 members of the McCain-Palin campaign. I interviewed almost every character that's portrayed in the movie, and many people that aren't portrayed in the movie that were also on the campaign, and got all their stories. I wanted to confirm that the book that was our primary source was accurate, which it was – that became very clear, in the first couple of interviews – and I wanted to incorporate as much information as I could from those interviews, from the people who actually lived it and the people that we were actually portraying.
Also, I used secondary sources, such as Sarah Palin's book, Going Rogue. That was really helpful because she wouldn't interview with me. I was fortunate that she wrote a book that was a beat-by-beat account of how she felt about every moment of that campaign. That was extremely helpful. I also read some of the other books that have been written on the election. There have been about three or four other books.
Looking back on it, especially now that the film is finished, do you feel like having that distance from Sarah Palin and John McCain actually ended up helping you, or would you have actually wanted to sit down and talk to both of them, if they'd been willing?
STRONG: Oh, I would have loved to have talked to both of them. There's no way that that would not have helped. But, they weren't willing to do it, so we had to pursue the project without their interviews.
In talking to all those different people, did any one of them give you the most insight, or did any one person most effect how you approached this?
STRONG: No, it was a real consensus. I interviewed so many people, and so many people told the same story. I kept hearing the same things, over and over and over again. And then, there would be a different point of view, and there would be a number of people that would confirm that point of view. It was obvious that both points of view were valid and accurate, and we would do everything we could to try to get all the points of view into the film. It wasn't just one story. It was a multi-dimensional story.
What was your first reaction to seeing all of these actors in character?
STRONG: I remember the first make-up test with Julianne Moore, right before we started shooting. She just walked into the room, dressed up as Sarah Palin, and all of our hearts stopped because she looked exactly like her. One of the producers, Gary Goetzman, just grabbed me and gave me this huge hug. He was so excited. It was a really neat moment. We did a little mock-up, where we just did a little Photoshop and put a brown wig on her and glasses and made her face the skin color of Sarah Palin. It took about five minutes, and we looked at it and were like, "Yeah, that's Sarah Palin." It was clear that she was going to be perfect. And then, it became a matter of, "Please, please, please say yes to us." If she had said no, I don't know what we would have done. We were all so in love with the idea of her playing the part. And also, with Ed Harris as McCain, it is spooky how much he looks like him. He just gave a tremendous performance.
Was there a scene in the film that you were most looking forward to being brought to life?
STRONG: There were a bunch. I definitely was excited about the moment we were going to shoot the scene where Julianne Moore, as Sarah Palin, is watching Tina Fey, as Sarah Palin. I just thought that was going to be a really cool meta, crazy moment. And, the way that Julianne performed it was so beautiful. You could see the pain of this, on her face. It's also in that moment where it just becomes crystal clear to everyone what a brilliant performance it is because you're really just feeling so much empathy for Sarah Palin while she's watching this iconic satire of herself.
Obviously, this film probably isn't going to change people's perceptions of who Sarah Palin is, and that's not what the film is even trying to do, so what are you hoping audiences take away from this film?
STRONG: Well, I hope that it makes them really think about what they value in a leader, and what kind of qualities they think a President of the United States should have. I hope we can get people thinking about that, and also thinking about the process of how we elect our presidents, and if we really want celebrity and charisma to trump substance. Maybe some people do. But, it seems to me that our presidential elections have turned more into a popularity contest than a real analysis about who really should be President of the United States. If we can get people thinking about that, then I think we will have achieved something.
What did Steve Schmidt think of the finished film?
STRONG: We offered to screen the movie for Steve Schmidt, Governor Palin and Senator McCain, and Schmidt was the only one who took us up on it. I was there when he watched it and, the second it ended, he turned to us and said, "That's exactly what happened."
What is the appeal of taking on a project like The Lost Symbol? Were you a fan of the Dan Brown novels, or the two previous films?
STRONG: Well, I loved the idea of doing something completely different, and thought I would have a blast doing a big studio fictional thriller. I love the character of Robert Langdon. I love the idea of a movie hero in a thriller who is able to get ahead by just his brilliance, and not with a gun or by being an action hero. I think that's a really cool idea. And, I just love the world of the books and the movies. This one, in particular, is in the world of the Freemasons in Washington, D.C. I've always dug the Freemasons and the mysteries the Freemasons. I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I think it's going to be a great movie, so I'm really excited about it.
Are you going to approach that from an entirely new place, or will you work from drafts that were already written?
STRONG: It's a little tricky and I can't get that much into it right now. I haven't entirely figured it out myself, to be honest with you.
Will you be collaborating with the director (Mark Romanek), or do you prefer to write independently?
STRONG: Every project is different, and it just depends. In this case, there is a director attached, so I will be working with him.
What else do you have on your plate right now?
STRONG: Well, one that I'm extremely excited about is called The Butler. Lee Daniels is attached to direct it, and Oprah Winfrey is attached to star in it. It's looking like it could go into production in the next three or four months. Fingers crossed that it crosses that green light and gets going. But, it's on the brink of happening, so that's very exciting.
As a writer, is it difficult to spend so much time working on a project and then never know if it will actually get made or not? Is that frustrating for you, or do you just try to move on to the next thing to keep yourself occupied?
STRONG: Both. You want stuff to happen right away, but the reality is that it doesn't. I've found that sitting around and obsessing about projects moving forward, when there's actually nothing I can do about it, at a certain point, is really counter-productive. I've found that the way to solve that frustration is just to move onto the next thing and let the people whose job it is to get the money together or to get the studio to green light it, and either the project will happen or it won't. All I can do, as the writer, is just keep writing. It gets to a point where it's not even frustrating. You just have to accept that it's the nature of what you do for a living. You have to turn stuff in and let it go, at a certain point.
What led you to want to make your directorial debut with Marshall? Was that something you had been thinking about transitioning to?
STRONG: A lot of it has just been working with Jay Roach so closely. He's kept me involved in every stage of production, from pre-production through production and post-production, and it's been this unbelievable film school, just being by this guy's side. He's also been extremely encouraging of me to direct, as well. It's been that experience, along with having this fairly long career as an actor. It just feels like it will all come together in a directing career.
A lot of people are familiar with your acting work, but you've also firmly established yourself as a serious screenwriter. Is writing something that you had always wanted to do, or did something lead you to it?
STRONG: Well, it was definitely something I thought I was going to pursue, even when I was in college as a theater major. I took a lot of writing courses. But, it wasn't until about three years into supporting myself as an actor that I decided to write a script for myself to star in, like many actors do. And, I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to pursue a separate career, as a writer, and that I wasn't going to attach myself to scripts anymore, but just try to have two careers – one as an actor and one as a writer. But, it took several years to get the writing portion of it to happen. I think it was five years after I made that decision, before I got my first paycheck, as a writer.
Did you have a moment where you realized that you had a legitimate career as a writer as well?
STRONG: There were a couple moments. One was after I finished that first script and I gave it to a friend of mine who doesn't pull his punches and has great taste, and he just said, "Wow, I love this. You're a real writer." That was a really exciting moment for me. I was like, "Wow, I can maybe really do this." That commitment to writing was over many years, and lots and lots of rejection, which is very difficult. It got to a point where I made a decision, four years into those five years, that I was just going to keep doing it, even if I didn't make a dime, because I loved doing it and I felt like it was a part of who I am now. I think it was at that moment that I really felt like, "I'm a professional writer now," even though I wasn't making any money doing it.
Do you still find yourself as passionate about acting now?
STRONG: Well, writing is definitely the focus of my energy and it's the primary source of my income. I spend my day in and day out, working on scripts. With the acting, it's shifted in a way that I think is really healthy. I spent 15 years pursuing any acting job I could possibly get, whether it was a commercial, a radio voice-over, any TV show, or a part in any movie, no matter what the quality of it was. I just needed to get hired because that was my source of income, and how I qualified for insurance and paid my rent. Now, because the writing career is taking care of the insurance and the rent, I can be really selective about what I want to act in. I only work in projects that I think are cool, and it's been wonderful, getting to be selective like that, after having all those years of not being in that position.
The flipside of that is that you get to do it less because there's less quality projects. Sometimes projects will come along that I'm excited about, and they're not excited about me and I don't get the part. But, that's fine. Now, it's a matter of fulfilling myself creatively, as an actor, as opposed to just trying to pay my rent. It's also made the acting way better because there's less pressure on it. I don't feel like every single audition or every single job I get is going to be my last one, if I don't hit it out of the park.
That's actually a terrible mind-set to have, as an actor, because part of what makes work really good is a certain amount of relaxation and looseness and ease, particularly for acting in front of the camera. So, now I enjoy my auditions, and when I'm actually working, I enjoy being on set because I don't have that axe having over my neck with every line I say. It's really made everything more enjoyable, and the work is stronger.


text:
What we do—
Egg delivers simple, bold truths.
Our core strength is rooted in simplicity. As we explore the messiness of modern life, we create bold solutions that are profoundly simple to embrace because they're rooted in fundamental human truths.
/connective insight
We provide penetrating insight into the web of relationships that shape the totality of our everyday.
Through deep behavioral observation and targeted inquiry, Egg strategists are able to truly connect brands with consumers and the moments that matter most to them, revealing new opportunities for brand action and growth.
- generation & modern-day tribes
- target & occasion illumination
- engagement & path-to-purchase mapping
- needographic segmentation
/momentum strategy
We help brands close the gap between aspirations and actions.
We accomplish this via brand and consumer strategies that motivate people to lean into their most energized and positive intentions.
- brand renovation & stretch
- positioning & communication strategy
- channel & digital strategy
- activation & insight planning
/habitual innovation
We create big ideas that seamlessly integrate with the routine of everyday life.
With deep understanding of the rituals, routines and habits that drive new product adoptions, our innovation strategies and concept development inspire action.
- innovation strategy & need mapping
- new brand creation
- The Hatchery—facilitated sessions
- concept development & testing
Core verticals—
In-the-Trenches Expertise
After more than a decade of focus and experience we have developed three core areas of expertise: Lifestyle, Health and CPG. This means you get best-in-class service from skilled Project Leaders and team members who have dedicated themselves to these spaces and work in the trenches on a global scale everyday.
/egg lifestyle
The Lifestyle group serves a wide variety of industries and brands, from apparel to spirits to travel, which are often indicators of tribal identity and affiliation. These brands speak to people who live fluidly across categories where discretionary spending more often satisfies deep desires, aspirations and experiences than more rational needs.
/egg cpg
The Egg CPG team works across everyday home and food categories from frozen meals to fresh produce, and in beverages from juice and CSD's to bottled water and enhanced health drinks. At a global level, we explore the entire spectrum of needs associated with everyday people's most frequent purchases.
/egg health
At Egg Health, we partner with patients, caregivers, consumers and Healthcare Professionals to uncover deep insight, emotional and functional needs, and drivers of growth. We understand and uncover patient and HCP journeys, reveal opportunities for innovation, and help define brand strategy and positioning.
Experimentation & Invention—
Future Forward Stance
We are restless, curious and active. We turn the work we do for clients back on ourselves to shape the future of consumer insights, strategic modeling and meaningful innovation practices.
/egg labs
Egg Labs is our internal innovation group in continuous pursuit of creative solutions to the ever-evolving challenges facing our clients.
By harnessing technology and new consumer data streams we've built an entirely new concept testing method based on crowdsourcing principles, accessed the daily moments of a person's life from their vantage point, and crafted an immersive consumer journey tool to help clients make informed, empathetic decisions.
Interested in learning more?
Drop us an email at firstname.lastname@example.com and we'll be in touch.


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O. M. G. The day has finally arrived. Today is the day that Dead Souls, the sixth Kim Stone
novel masterpiece is set free and I GET TO BE ONE OF THE TWO BLOGGERS TO OPEN THE BLOG TOUR!!! Whoop whoop.
You'd be forgiven for thinking I might be a bit happy about that. But you'd be totally wrong. I'm actually a lot happy. A massive Happy Publication day to Angie and Bookouture. I'm pretty certain you'll be having a blast and you truly deserve every bit of happiness today. Because this book, ladies and gents, is epic!!!
I'll share my review with you in a moment, but first up here are those all important bookie bits.
The Official Book Blurb
The truth was dead and buried…until now.
When a collection of human bones is unearthed during a routine archaeological dig, a Black Country field suddenly becomes a complex crime scene for Detective Kim Stone.
As the bones are sorted, it becomes clear that the grave contains more than one victim. The bodies hint at unimaginable horror, bearing the markings of bullet holes and animal traps.
Forced to work alongside Detective Travis, with whom she shares a troubled past, Kim begins to uncover a dark secretive relationship between the families who own the land in which the bodies were found.
But while Kim is immersed in one of the most complicated investigations she's ever led, her team are caught up in a spate of sickening hate crimes. Kim is close to revealing the truth behind the murders, yet soon finds one of her own is in jeopardy – and the clock is ticking. Can she solve the case and save them from grave danger – before it's too late?
An addictive, sinister crime thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seat.
So. Let's be honest. If there is a new Angela Marsons book out, then you know I'm going to be somewhere reading it. I have pretty well devoured every book she has written since I finally picked up Silent Scream a little over a year ago. February 6th 2016 to be exact. I hoofed through the whole thing in one night and pretty much the only thing that has changed since then is the length of my hair and the content of the books I am reading. Because when I picked up Dead Souls there was no way I was going to stop reading until I had finished. And believe me when I say that it's not just a me thing – it really is that good.
Now for fans of the Kim Stone series, you will know that she and her team have found themselves in some pretty tense and dangerous situations over the past couple of years. They are no strangers to grizzly deaths or hair raising investigations and, as you would expect with a title like Dead Souls, you can rest assured that this book is no different.
Actually. That's a lie. This is different. This book has a much darker tone to it overall, not so much so that it would put the ardent Kim Stone follower off, turn them away with graphic violence or unnecessary gore, but it is a very emotive and disturbing subject matter and there are elements which need to be handled in a sensitive and yet honest way. Angela Marsons tackles this with her usual flair, not trivialising the violence or the motives behind the violence and not playing it for shock value alone either. But shock it will.
From the get go there is an underlying menace, a sense that there is more than the eye can see. The very first act within the book is one which could be a trigger for some and one which many can probably identify with; an overwhelming sense of despair where there seems only one way out. Now this scene may be upsetting, it certainly sets the tone for the whole novel, but it is necessary for reasons that will become apparent as you read on. I won't say any more than that as this is a journey which the reader needs to go on for themselves.
Now aside from all the darkness, there are the usual moments of humour that we have come to associate with this series. Dr A for example is a real hoot, particularly as she delights in taunting Travis much to Kim's amusement. And even more that that, Bryant finds himself paired up with Dawson. You couldn't put two more different people together, well unless you count Kim and Bryant but there is a strange synergy there that just works. As for Bryant and Dawson? Well there are moments between them that did make me chuckle. But beneath it all they are investigating a very disturbing crime and the compassion, frustration and determination which is inherent in the pair of them seeps from every page. They may have a very different approach to one another, but ultimately they both want the same thing – justice.
Marsons also manages to throw the team off kilter in this book, adding another, slightly less obvious, layer of conflict to the novel. Kim finds herself paired up with DI Travis, the man who seems to be her nemesis. This in itself is not the conflict I'm referring to. Yes, they rub each other up the wrong way, but this adds as much humour as it does tension at times. It is more the impact that Kim being separated from her team has on all of them. They have a spark when they are together, but that one little chink, that one small gap, and it puts everything on the line, especially for one of them.
What I really enjoyed about the book was that not only did we come to learn the reasons behind Kim's problems with Travis, which were surprising to say the least, but that we got to see more of Stacey. She really comes into her own in Dead Souls. Previously she has been the one left behind, sat in the comfort of the station hiding behind her computer screen. Now she really steps up, making some serious mistakes in the process but ones which endear her to me even more than her wonderful Black Country accent. Her story is an emotive one and the case has very personal undertones for her. You cannot help but like this strong, determined, perhaps a little unsure Detective.
Angela Marsons has once again proven how skilled she is in creating tension. I could not look away from the book once I had started reading. I kind of had a sense of where it was heading, the harsh and brutal reality building with every page turn, as did the sense of dread. And from about 80% in I could feel my pulse rate rising, could feel my body tense as I willed the team to find the truth and to prevent what seemed almost inevitable. I swear that my heart was in my throat, or as good as. That is the power of this wonderful lady's writing. One of the only people to make me cry she also takes me right to the edge of my very last nerve. Both from excitement and tension. Every. Flipping. Time.
This is not a story for the faint-hearted or for the easily offended. It is a very timely and perhaps sociologically relevant story, given all that has been happening across the globe. There is a grotesque realism to the way in which some of the story unfolds, but I mean that in a genuinely positive way. There is such passion in the way the subject is written that you can truly feel every bit of emotional energy that it clearly took to put these words on the page. In her letter at the end of the book Angela Marsons speaks of how difficult this book was to write, how parts of the research disgusted her, and I can fully believe it. To take such a vile subject and characters, such vitriol, and make it breathe… To completely avoid glorification of events and yet create such authenticity in the actions of the many hateful perpetrators in the book… To fully immerse yourself in the writing while keeping a safe and sane emotional distance from the hatred. That takes real skill and nerve. Ms Marsons has that by the bucket load.
This book is going to be a hit – no doubt about it. Everything you could expect from a Kim Stone book and just that little something more. Best. One. Ever… (so far 😉 )
Dark, troubled and tension filled 5 stars. Big fat ones. Like massive. (Can I change my scoring system?) Ah well… I refuse to make them smaller 😉
And you know what else? I'm awarding this book my first ever #RedHotRead rating. This is a new recognition award for books which really are, in my opinion, a cut above and which should be in everyone's tbr list.
My absolute thanks to Netgalley and publishers Bookouture for providing the advance copy of Dead Souls for review. I would have reviewed it even if I had to buy it myself. Which I have also done. Just so you know…
Speaking of which, you too can purchase this wonderful book from the following retailers. What are you waiting for?
Amazon UK | Amazon.com | Kobo
About the Author
Angela lives in the heart of the Black Country with her partner, bouncy puppy and potty mouthed parrot.
It has taken many novels to find that one character who just refused to go away. And so D.I. Kim Stone was born. The D.I. Kim Stone series has now sold over 2 million copies.
Don't just take my word for how fabulous this book is. Make sure to stop by the rest of the wonderful blogs taking part in this tour including my tour buddy for today, Ana at This Chick Reads.


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Huff was tough on Herd
The Bisons fell 8-2 at the hands of former Buffalo hurler David Huff for their ninth loss in ten games and third of the series with the Columbus Clippers Monday night at Coca Cola Field.
Huff struck out 10 Bisons without a walk over seven innings, allowing one run on four hits.
Shortstop Luis Valbuena provided all the necessary Columbus offense with seven RBI, tying a record for a Bisons visitor with Nashville's Drew Denson, who recorded seven May 13, 1993.
Bisons starter Dylan Owen walked four of his first six batters, including Valbuena with the bases loaded, to give the Clippers a 1-0 first-inning lead.
Jason Botts tied the score with a rocket homer over the screen behind the left-field fence, his first as a Bison. After the home run, Huff retired 17 of 18 batters.
Columbus reclaimed the lead with an Ezequiel Carrera RBI triple in the fourth before a two-run home run by Valbuena gave the Clippers a 4-1 cushion.
Mike O'Connor allowed the Valbuena homer after relieving Owen with one runner on. Owen allowed three earned runs on four hits with six walks and four strikeouts.
Luis Figueroa and Michael Fisher hit consecutive single to lead off the bottom of the first and extend their hitting streaks to nine and eight games, respectively.
Dale Thayer made his Buffalo return, taking the mound for the sixth inning, but allowed Valbuena's grand slam after a Botts error in left field sandwiched between walks.
Luis Hernandez and Figueroa hit eighth-inning doubles for the Bisons' second run.
The clubs wrap up the four-game set Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes: The Bisons activated reliever Thayer before the game after the Mets optioned Thayer and recalled righty D.J. Carrasco Saturday… Huff went 6-4 with a 3.01 ERA as a Bison in 2008… Carrera stole his International League-leading 22nd base of the season… Ryota Igarashi pitched a perfect ninth for the Bisons.


text:
Pull Out of Area One
We're calling for the withdrawal of all Chicago Police Department forces from Area One. The neighborhood does not want us there, they don't appreciate what we do and they don't want us in their business any more.
Chicago police have been involved in at least eight shootings in the last two weeks, including five that were fatal.
Saturday's marchers claimed the deadly force has been unwarranted.
"Enough is enough. If you cant' do the job, you're scared to come to our neighborhoods, maybe you need to find another profession," said Ashanda Harrison, the aunt of a shooting victim.
"You expect them [children] to get shot, growing up in the city, by some thugs on the streets, but not by the Chicago Police Department," said another woman attending the march, who was identified as a shooting victim's mother.
Hey auntie and mama? Fuck you both. We'd love to get other jobs where the chance of going home each and every day to see our family was a certainty. Because we love them, cherish them and don't see them as expendable commodities to the dope trade and, god forbid, a fucking lottery ticket.
Fuck Area One. Now and forever. If anyone does a lick of work for people like this...
Labels: un-fucking-believable


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Sony releases PS4 Firmware 4.55, which opens possibilities according to hacker
Earlier today, PS4 firmware 4.55 was released. As often, the official changelog hasn't been giving much details besides the typical "improves the quality of the system performance". Well, at least it's not a stability update, so there's that? Of course, what it probably means is an attempt to patch some security holes in the firmware.
Hacker Qwertyoruiop, who has been front left and right of the scene lately as he released a Webkit exploit for firmware 4.07 and below (then stated he has a Kernel exploit on firmware 4.50), said: "sony updated webkit enough for fun stuff to be doable".
@DjShinter sure but they merged to code with more potential issues than the previous one, and it has some jsc features that make exploitation easier
— qwertyoruiop (@qwertyoruiopz) April 11, 2017
In a tweet a few weeks ago, he had mentioned that he was in possession of some recent Webkit exploits that wouldn't work on PS4 because PS4's version of Webkit was too old. It sounds to me that his statement today directly relates to that old tweet.
Wrote an exploit for a WebKit 1day. And for ***'s sake PS4 unaffected because WebKit is too old.
— qwertyoruiop (@qwertyoruiopz) March 18, 2017
Not much is known on PS4 Firmware update 4.55 at this point. Qwertyoruiop has not clarified if his 4.50 Kernel Exploit still works on firmware 4.55 (although this is likely, given how recent that kernel exploit is, and assuming nothing's leaked. In my experience, it's unlikely Sony would patch a kernel exploit and release an update that fast).


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Career Paths
World language study can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. A major in World Languages & Cultural Studies at Merrimack College will help you communicate and interact with people from diverse backgrounds. It will also help you develop cultural awareness and sensitivity, expand your knowledge of global issues, and perhaps ultimately choose a career.
Career Opportunities for World Language Majors
Proficiency in more than one language is a valuable skill that enhances your occupational possibilities. It may also give you a competitive edge in today's job market. The ability to speak, read, write and comprehend another language is an asset in today's global workplace. World language majors typically have a variety of career options in both the public and private sectors. Many professionals who deal with the public, including teachers, law-enforcement agents, medical personnel, and social service professionals, find that knowledge of a language other than English can be a real benefit. Multi-national corporations increasingly need employees with world language backgrounds to process documents and work as translators.
Keys to Success:
- Achieve a high level of competency in the target language
- Form clear career goals early on and work hard to achieve them
- Develop another area of expertise in addition to a world language
- Hone your cultural awareness skills.
World Language Majors are at an advantage
Foreign language skills provide sharp edge in the job market
- "What Can You Do With a Foreign Language Degree? The Possibilities are Endless!"
- In its list of The 13 "Most Useful College Majors," Newsweek magazine placed at #10 "French, German, Latin and other Common Foreign Languages."
- According to Bloomberg Businessweek, "A growing number of business schools seem to be taking the view that a degree of fluency in at least one other major language is essential for the next generation of corporate leaders, despite the fact that most of their international programs are now conducted in English."
- The International Business Times reported that job seekers with bilingual skills could look forward to a profusion of opportunities in the coming year.
- The "Education Portal" website offers "Career Information for a degree in Foreign Languages" (with salary stats).
- Omniglot, the online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages, offers these career suggestions and many links for additional information and resources for those majoring in foreign languages.
- The Vistawide World Languages and Cultures website is a resource for foreign language majors.
- "Language Study in the Age of Globalization: The College-Level Experience" an excellent brochure prepared by the Modern Languages Association (MLA).
Sample jobs for World Language Majors
The following lists are a representative sample of job titles and types of employers for individuals who have majored in world languages. In most cases, you will need to develop expertise in a secondary field in order to secure one of these highly specialized positions:
Job Title:
Employers in modern World Languages:
With the exception of positions in teaching, translating, and interpreting, in most entry-level jobs your language ability is seen as a secondary skill or asset. Since it is not the primary function of your job, employers may be more interested in your understanding of cultural nuances. That is, cultural sensitivity and an ability to relate to and communicate with people seem to be an equally high priority.
World Language majors who are willing to develop other areas of expertise: computer science, business administration, law, criminal justice, communications, management banking, political science, et cetera, have a good chance of being hired in today's very competitive workforce.


text:
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Overview of Digestive System
The digestive tract includes the oral cavity and associated organs (lips, teeth, tongue, and salivary glands), the esophagus, the forestomachs (reticulum, rumen, omasum) of ruminants and the true stomach in all species, the small intestine, the liver, the exocrine pancreas, the large intestine, and the rectum and anus. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue (tonsils, Peyer's patches, diffuse lymphoid tissue) is distributed along the GI tract. The peritoneum covers the abdominal viscera and is involved in many GI diseases. Fundamental efforts to manage GI disorders should always be directed toward localizing disease to a particular segment and determining a cause. A rational therapeutic plan can then be formulated.
The primary functions of the GI tract include prehension of feed and water; mastication, ensalivation, and swallowing of feed; digestion of feed and absorption of nutrients; maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance; and evacuation of waste products. There are four primary functions—digestion, absorption, motility, and evacuation—and, correspondingly, four primary modes of dysfunction.
Normal GI tract motility involves peristalsis, muscle activity that moves ingesta from the esophagus to the rectum; segmentation movements, which churn and mix the ingesta; and segmental resistance and sphincter tone, which retard aboral progression of gut contents. In ruminants, these movements are of major importance in normal forestomach function.
Abnormal motor function usually manifests as decreased motility. Segmental resistance is usually reduced, and transit rate increases. Motility depends on stimulation via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (and thus on the activity of the central and peripheral parts of these systems) and on the GI musculature and its intrinsic nerve plexuses. Debility, accompanied by weakness of the musculature, acute peritonitis, and hypokalemia, produces atony of the gut wall (paralytic ileus). The intestines distend with fluid and gas, and fecal output is reduced. In addition, chronic stasis of the small intestine may predispose to abnormal proliferation of microflora. Such bacterial overgrowth may cause malabsorption by injuring mucosal cells, by competing for nutrients, and by deconjugating bile salts and hydroxylating fatty acids.
Vomiting is a neural reflex act that results in ejection of food and fluid from the stomach through the oral cavity. It is always associated with antecedent events such as premonition, nausea, salivation, or shivering and is accompanied by repeated contractions of the abdominal muscles.
Regurgitation is characterized by passive, retrograde reflux of previously swallowed material from the esophagus, stomach, or rumen. In diseases of the esophagus, swallowed material may not reach the stomach.
One of the major consequences of subnormal motility is distention with fluid and gas. Much of the accumulated fluid is saliva and gastric and intestinal juices secreted during normal digestion. Distention causes pain and reflex spasm of adjoining gut segments. It also stimulates further secretion of fluid into the lumen of the gut, which exacerbates the condition. When the distention exceeds a critical point, the ability of the musculature of the wall to respond diminishes, the initial pain disappears, and paralytic ileus develops in which all GI muscle tone is lost.
Dehydration, acid-base and electrolyte imbalance, and circulatory failure are major consequences of GI distention. Accumulation of gut fluids stimulates additional secretion of fluids and electrolytes in the anterior segments of the intestine, which can worsen the abnormalities and lead to shock.
Abdominal pain associated with GI disease usually is caused by stretching of the intestinal wall. Contraction of the gut causes pain by direct and reflex distention of neighboring segments. Spasm, an exaggerated segmenting contraction of one section of intestine, results in distention of the immediately anterior segment when a peristaltic wave arrives. Other factors that may cause abdominal pain include edema and failure of local blood supply, eg, in local embolism or twisting of the mesentery.
Specific diseases cause diarrhea by varied and characteristic mechanisms, the recognition of which is useful in understanding, diagnosing, and managing GI diseases. The major mechanisms of diarrhea are increased permeability, hypersecretion, and osmosis. Disorders of motility are often secondary. In healthy animals, water and electrolytes continuously transfer across the intestinal mucosa. Secretions (from blood to gut) and absorptions (from gut to blood) occur simultaneously. In clinically healthy animals, absorption exceeds secretion, ie, there is net absorption. Inflammation in the intestines can be accompanied by an increase in "pore size" in the mucosa, permitting increased flow through the membrane ("leak") down the pressure gradient from blood to the intestinal lumen. If the amount exuded exceeds the absorptive capacity of the intestines, diarrhea results. The size of the material that leaks through the mucosa varies, depending on the magnitude of the increase in pore size. Large increases in pore size permit exudation of plasma protein, resulting in protein-losing enteropathies (eg, lymphangiectasia in dogs, paratuberculosis in cattle, nematode infections). Greater increases in pore size result in the loss of RBCs, producing hemorrhagic diarrhea (eg, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, parvovirus infection, severe hookworm infection).
Hypersecretion is a net intestinal loss of fluid and electrolytes that is independent of changes in permeability, absorptive capacity, or exogenously generated osmotic gradients. Enterotoxic colibacillosis is an example of diarrheal disease due to intestinal hypersecretion; enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli produce enterotoxin that stimulates the crypt epithelium to secrete fluid beyond the absorptive capacity of the intestines. The villi, along with their digestive and absorptive capabilities, remain intact. The fluid secreted is isotonic, alkaline, and free of exudates. The intact villi are beneficial because a fluid (administered PO) that contains glucose, amino acids, and sodium is absorbed, even with hypersecretion.
Osmotic diarrhea is seen when inadequate absorption results in a collection of solutes in the gut lumen, which cause water to be retained by their osmotic activity. It develops in any condition that results in nutrient malabsorption or maldigestion or when an animal ingests a large amount of osmotically active substances that are not absorbed, eg, an overeating puppy.
Malabsorption (see Malassimilation Syndromes in Large Animals and see Diseases of the Stomach and Intestines in Small Animals) is failure of digestion and absorption due to some defect in the villous digestive and absorptive cells, which are mature cells that cover the villi. Several epitheliotropic viruses directly infect and destroy the villous absorptive epithelial cells or their precursors, eg, coronavirus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus of piglets, and rotavirus of calves. Feline panleukopenia virus and canine parvovirus destroy the crypt epithelium, which results in failure of renewal of villous absorptive cells and collapse of the villi; regeneration is a longer process after parvoviral infection than after viral infections of villous tip epithelium (eg, coronavirus, rotavirus). Intestinal malabsorption also may be caused by any defect that impairs absorptive capacity, such as diffuse inflammatory disorders (eg, lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis, eosinophilic enteritis) or neoplasia (eg, lymphosarcoma).
Other examples of malabsorption include defects of pancreatic secretion that result in maldigestion. Rarely, because of failure to digest lactose (which, in large amounts, has a hyperosmotic effect), neonatal farm animals or pups may have diarrhea while they are being fed milk. Reduced secretion of digestive enzymes at the surface of villous tip cells is characteristic of epitheliotropic viral infections recognized in farm animals.
The ability of the GI tract to digest food depends on its motor and secretory functions and, in herbivores, on the activity of the microflora of the forestomachs of ruminants, or of the cecum and colon of horses and pigs. The flora of ruminants can digest cellulose; ferment carbohydrates to volatile fatty acids; and convert nitrogenous substances to ammonia, amino acids, and protein. In certain circumstances, the activity of the flora can be suppressed to the point that digestion becomes abnormal or ceases. Incorrect diet, prolonged starvation or inappetence, and hyperacidity (as occurs in engorgement on grain) all impair microbial digestion. The bacteria, yeasts, and protozoa also may be adversely affected by the oral administration of drugs that are antimicrobial or that drastically alter the pH of rumen contents.
Clinical Findings of GI Disease
Signs of GI disease include excessive salivation, diarrhea, constipation or scant feces, vomiting, regurgitation, GI tract hemorrhage, abdominal pain and distention, tenesmus, shock and dehydration, and suboptimal performance. The location and nature of the lesions that cause malfunction often can be determined by recognition and analysis of the clinical findings. In addition, abnormalities of prehension, mastication, and swallowing usually are associated with diseases of the oral mucosa, teeth, mandible or other bony structures of the head, pharynx, or esophagus. Vomiting is most common in single-stomached animals and usually is due to gastroenteritis or nonalimentary disease (eg, uremia, pyometra, endocrine disease). The vomitus in a dog or cat with a bleeding lesion (gastric ulcer or neoplasm) may contain frank blood or have the appearance of coffee grounds. Horses and rabbits do not vomit. Regurgitation may signify disease of the oropharynx or esophagus and is not accompanied by the premonitory signs seen with vomiting.
Large-volume, fluid diarrhea usually is associated with hypersecretion (eg, in enterotoxigenic colibacillosis in newborn calves) or with malabsorptive (osmotic) effects. Blood and fibrinous casts in the feces indicate a hemorrhagic, fibrinonecrotic enteritis of the small or large intestine, eg, bovine viral diarrhea, coccidiosis, salmonellosis, or swine dysentery. Black, tarry feces (melena) indicate hemorrhage in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. Tenesmus of GI origin usually is associated with inflammatory disease of the rectum and anus.
Small amounts of soft feces may indicate a partial obstruction of the intestines. Abdominal distention can result from accumulation of gas, fluid, or ingesta, usually due to hypomotility (functional obstruction, adynamic paralytic ileus) or to a physical obstruction (eg, foreign body or intussusception). Distention may, of course, result from something as direct as overeating. A "ping" heard during auscultation and percussion of the abdomen indicates a gas-filled viscus. A sudden onset of severe abdominal distention in an adult ruminant usually is due to ruminal tympany. Ballottement and succussion may reveal fluid-splashing sounds when the rumen or bowel is filled with fluid. Varying degrees of dehydration and acid-base and electrolyte imbalance, which may lead to shock, are seen when large quantities of fluid are lost (eg, in diarrhea or sequestered in intestinal obstruction) or in gastric or abomasal volvulus.
Abdominal pain is due to stretching or inflammation of the serosal surfaces of abdominal viscera or the peritoneum; it may be acute or subacute, and its manifestation varies among species. In horses, acute abdominal pain is common (see Colic in Horses). Subacute pain is more common in cattle and is characterized by reluctance to move and by grunting with each respiration or deep palpation of the abdomen. Abdominal pain in dogs and cats may be acute or subacute and is characterized by whining, meowing, and abnormal postures (eg, outstretched forelimbs, the sternum on the floor, and the hindlimbs raised). Abdominal pain may be difficult to localize to a particular viscus or organ within the abdomen.
Examination of the GI Tract
A complete, accurate history and routine clinical examination can often determine the diagnosis. In outbreaks of GI tract disease in farm animals, the history and epidemiologic findings are of prime importance. In small animals, travel history or other details such as recent adoption from a shelter or recent kenneling or exposure to other animals in dog parks might give clinical suspicion to certain infectious diseases. If the history and epidemiologic and clinical findings are consistent with GI disease, the lesion should be localized within the system, and the type of lesion and its cause determined.
The abnormality may sometimes be localized to the large or small intestine by history, physical examination, and fecal characteristics (see Table: Differentiation of Small-Intestinal from Large-Intestinal Diarrhea). The distinction is important because it narrows the differential diagnoses and determines the direction of further investigation. However, the clinician should appreciate that in some instances the disorder can involve the entire bowel, with one set of localizing signs overshadowing the other.
Differentiation of Small-Intestinal from Large-Intestinal Diarrhea
The clinical and laboratory techniques and their applications include the following: 1) visual inspection of the oral cavity and of the contour of the abdomen for distention or contraction; 2) palpation through the abdominal wall or per rectum to evaluate shape, size, and position of abdominal viscera; 3) abdominal percussion to detect "pings," which suggest gas-filled viscera; 4) auscultation to determine the intensity, frequency, and duration of GI movements, as well as fluid-splashing sounds associated with fluid-filled stomachs and intestines and fluid-rushing sounds associated with diarrheal disease; 5) succussion to reveal fluid-splashing sounds; 6) ballottement to evaluate density and size of abdominal organs by their movement away from and back to the abdominal wall; and 7) gross examination of feces to assess bulk, consistency, color, and presence of mucus, blood, or undigested food particles.
Microscopic studies include examination for parasites. Cytology of a rectal or colonic mucosal smear stained with new methylene blue or Wright stain for fecal leukocytes is useful to detect inflammatory bowel disease or the presence of intracellular fungal organisms in the case of infection with Histoplasma capsulatum. The following may be useful (or necessary): 1) bacterial culture and virus isolation; 2) endoscopy to visualize the mucosal surface of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon, and rectum; 3) abdominocentesis to collect fluid from distended viscera or from the peritoneal cavity for examination; 4) radiography (contrast) to diagnose obstructive disease; 5) abdominal ultrasonography to evaluate the wall thickness of the stomach and intestines and to detect abdominal masses, intussusceptions, and mesenteric lymphadenopathy in small animals, and to investigate abdominal disorders in horses and cows; 6) biopsy (endoscopic, laparoscopic, ultrasound-guided, surgical) to obtain samples for microscopic examination (samples of intestines and liver are useful to diagnose chronic enteritis and liver disease); and 7) tests for digestion and absorption to estimate and differentiate malabsorption and maldigestion. Common absorption tests include the measurement of the serum concentrations of cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate. In addition, in small animals, an increased serum folate concentration in conjunction with a decreased cobalamin is consistent with antibiotic-responsive diarrhea. Exocrine pancreatic function can be evaluated by the determination of serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity and by measurement of serum canine and feline pancreas-specific lipase, which are sensitive and specific markers for the diagnosis of pancreatitis; laparotomy and biopsy may be indicated in cases in which the diagnosis is not clear or in which surgical correction may be required.


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A collection of scholarly works about individual liberty and free markets. A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.
In a series of Federalist Papers, John John explores how a national government in America might deal with the problems of war and peace:
It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting any thing by it; nay, that absolute monarchs will often make war when their nations are to get nothing by it, but for purposes and objects merely personal, such as, a thirst for military glory, revenge for personal affronts, ambition, or private compacts to aggrandize or support their particular families, or partisans. These, and a variety of motives, which affect only the mind of the sovereign, often lead him to engage in wars not sanctioned by justice, or the voice and interests of his people.
About this Quotation:
John Jay returns to an idea expressed by Thomas Gordon on the often frivolous and personal reasons why rulers take their nations to war.


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Brigid Quinn
(571) 272-8400 or
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) announced today that on July 3, 2006 they are launching a new trial cooperation initiative called the Patent Prosecution Highway. The Patent Prosecution Highway will leverage fast-track patent examination procedures already available in both offices to allow applicants in both countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently. It also will permit each office to benefit from work previously done by the other office, in turn reducing examination workload and improving patent quality.
"This pilot project represents an important first step toward our goal of reducing duplication of searching through work-sharing," said Jon Dudas, U.S. under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. "As the USPTO and patent offices throughout the world deal with an ever-increasing workload, we must find ways to streamline processing and avoid redundancy through cooperative efforts such as the Patent Prosecution Highway. We look forward to a successful trial run of this program."
"The Patent Prosecution Highway is an important element in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry/U.S. Department of Commerce Initiative, which was issued on March 30, 2006 by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai," said Makoto Nakajima, commissioner of the Japan Patent Office. "The Patent Prosecution Highway is a significant first step in the cooperative efforts to support U.S. and Japanese industries for their global patent-obtaining activities."
Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the JPO or the USPTO that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the other office fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications. Full requirements for participation in the trial program can be found at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/opla/preognotice/pph_pp.pdf.
The purpose of the trial program is to gauge the interest of applicants and determine if the program improves quality and efficiency and reduces the workload at each agency. The trial period is set to expire July 3, 2007, but may be extended for up to one year or terminated earlier depending on volume of activity and other factors. Both offices will provide notice of any adjustment in the trial period.


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Jerry Springer has found yet another calling -- matchmaker.
The former mayor of Cincinatti, Broadway veteran and talk show host will host a new dating game series on the Game Show Network called "Baggage" beginning April 19, according to the Associated Press.
"I just keep finding jobs," Springer said.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Springer will give three contestants the chance at a perfect date, but only after they reveal their worst faults. The title of the show refers to suitcases, filled with contestants' dirty secrets, that they must defend to a prospective date.
The host of "The Jerry Springer Show" has mediated confrontations between adulterous transvestites and combative country folk that often ended in fist-fights and weave-ripping, but says "Baggage" will be "fun and lighthearted. There's no life-changing issues."
GSN has already lined up a shoplifter, a woman who relies on psychics and a control freak as its first contestants.
Springer, 66, is confident that he'll inspire honesty among contestants. "I'm like the crazy old uncle," he said. "People feel comfortable telling me their secrets." And he feels the same. "Being a host is what I'm comfortable doing. I've been doing it forever, joking around with guests, having fun."
"Baggage" will air at 6:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday on the Game Show Network.


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Meeting place set in Tbilisi for Makei
- 15.01.2013, 13:17
Tbilisi is to host an informal meeting of the ministers of transport and foreign affairs of Eastern Partnership members.
Belarusian representatives have also been invited to attend the event.
The meeting is organised by two European Commissioners – Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle and Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas. The news was spread by Georgian Foreign Minister Maia Panjikidze.
It should be reminded that Uladzimir Makei is still on the EU blacklist, but he can visit Georgia.
As political observer Raman Yakauleuski reminds for charter97.org, Tbilisi is the only capital of EaP member states that doesn't have a Belarusian embassy. It's possible that Makei's visit will coincide with a ceremony to open the embassy building.


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Thrilled to be up for Aaron, Clemente awards
I've been told I'm up for a couple of prestigious awards, named after two of the greatest players ever, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente. Just being mentioned in the same sentence with these two men is enough of a reward, never mind winning.
The Hank Aaron Award is for all-around offensive contribution. Hank Aaron, he's done a lot in this game — the 755 home runs, everything he went through to break Babe Ruth's record of 714 for a career, including death threats. He's a great man, a quiet man who is a symbol of having integrity, doing things right.
Being nominated for this award along with my teammates, Bobby Abreu and Kendry Morales, is a thrill for me. I'm pretty sure it's my first time, and I'm thankful to be recognized like this.
It is a little bittersweet, the season I've had. I was on my way to career highs in just about every category – from walks to RBIs, batting average, slugging, on-base – when I just happened to get knocked down by a groin injury. I ran into two walls too many, I guess. I've never been out five weeks in a season like this, except for 2005 when I fractured my ankle and was out from July 30 to the end of the season.
Coming back after missing all that time, I'm now trying to fight back using straight athletic ability – not a great feeling.
As for the Roberto Clemente Award, it's given out every year to a player for making generous contributions to society. I've been up for this before. To be singled out for helping out, that's an honor. This guy died helping others, flying relief goods into Nicaragua after an earthquake. He's a big inspiration.
Everything I do comes from having certain values instilled in me by my mother and grandmother. They always taught me to treat others the way I want to be treated, and that's something I've always done. I've been blessed to be able to help others not as fortunate, not just in baseball but in life. I'll be doing this until I die. It's something I feel strongly about.
If you're blessed and work hard, treat yourself, don't cheat yourself. But be smart about it. I'm not an extravagant person. I get a lot of pleasure out of helping people through The Torii Hunter Project and in other ways. I'd like to see more players do a lot more as far as helping out the community, whatever they can.
You don't hear a lot about guys doing that, but maybe that's because the media focus is on more negative things or whatever. I'd like to think a lot of guys are quietly doing things to share with others not as blessed. I think we all should carry the spirit of Roberto Clemente with us and do whatever we can to help a community, to lift it any way we can.
My message to everyone is what my mother and grandmother instilled in me: Always treat people like you want to be treated, and you can never go wrong. That great feeling you get after helping somebody is a feeling you want for the rest of your life.
These are great awards, and I'm truly honored to be considered for them – for what I do on the field and off the field. My focus, 100 percent, is on a World Series ring. Right now it's winning our division, the first big step. Our main focus right now is winning the AL West and getting to the playoffs. That gives you a shot at going all the way, and that's our goal.
6 Comments
Mr Hunter,
You are an inspiration to all if you didn't know it already. I think your hard work and constant efforts to give back are something worth learning from. Angels 2009 world series champions sounds good to me 🙂
best of luck
You are a class act and have my vote.
Can wait to see you play tonight!
Congratulations! You do deserve to be recognized and awarded for all of your community efforts. It does take a special person to give to others. You are in a position to do just that. If you were my son I would be a very proud mother. You must be feeling alot of preasure at this time of the season to be on top of your game. Just remember everytime you have an opportunity at home plate do your best. All we can do is focus on doing our best. If you allow yourself to go back to that place, be secure and put your mind at rest. Sometimes looking at tape of the way you were, talking with your coach, asking for advice, talking to your team mates. It takes a smart man to ask for help. I still watch the team before they come out onto the field before a game. Most team member are shaking hands, wishing everyone a good game. I beleive you have a great deal to do with that team energy. I have faith that as the weeks go on you will reach the high that feels good and you will produce and be proud. I do love and will always love watching you play, you are a fantastic!!!
You are the real deal! It's encouraging to know that there are still truly great role models in the sports world such as yourself. I wish the media would talk more about the good that you guys do in the community. We can all use a little push to do good for others. There is no greater feeling one gets, then when you know in your heart that you helped someone out. I'm trusting and believing that I'll see you all in world series! God Bless!!
hey, is vlad up for it too
Hi there Torii! Hope you and your family are doing well. Hope you're feeling healthier every day. You more than deserve the awards you are up for (…sweet catch today!).
I'll be watching you guys do your thing tomorrow. Give my best to Mr. Juan Rivera. I'm excited to see him start hitting some homers again!
"…Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
Eph. 5:14


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What is Webinsta Maillist?
WEBinsta maillist manager is built to provide a centralized mailing list / newsletter system for small to medium website . Its simple yet quite powerfull . It support the standard subscribe and un-subscribe , remote verification , unsubscribe links , attachments and host of other such features . The best of all the total integration is less than 3 lines of code .


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After Dice-K's solid start, Mets pull out victory
Righty hurls 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball before Young comes up clutch
CLEVELAND -- Nineteen times this year, Daisuke Matsuzaka took the ball for the Columbus Clippers, hoping he could pitch well enough to impress their parent club, the Cleveland Indians, and make it back to the big leagues.
The Indians never brought him up from Triple-A, and last month he asked for and received his unconditional release before signing with the Mets as a free agent. Dice-K put up some ugly numbers during his first three starts in New York, but on Sunday in his fourth outing, he was excellent.
Matsuzaka pitched into the sixth inning and was charged with just one run. Though he didn't get a win, the Mets did. In the ninth inning of a tie game, Eric Young Jr. sliced a double down the right-field line off Cleveland closer Chris Perez, scoring Matt den Dekker from second and paving the way to a 2-1 victory for the Mets.
"I'll tell you, I was really happy for Dice-K because he needed this game bad," Mets skipper Terry Collins said. "He's a competitive guy, one of the better competitors you'll ever be around. For him to go out and -- after a rough start -- pitch a good game, I think is really meaningful for him."
Over 5 2/3 innings, Dice-K allowed just three hits, the first of which didn't happen until the fourth inning. He issued three walks and recorded six strikeouts, using 103 pitches in the outing. He spent a lot of time differentiating between a heater that got up over 90 mph and a breaking ball that typically stayed in the low 70s.
"My curveball was very effective today," Matsuzaka said through translator Jeff Cutler, "but overall I think all my pitches were better than it's been, which made the big difference."
"The command of his pitches was outstanding today, especially his offspeed stuff," Collins said. "He got the ball and worked quicker, and I thought that kept him in a better rhythm and allowed him to command the pitches better. But he pitched an outstanding game. Boy, I was really happy for him."
After Dice-K's exit, the Mets and Indians went into the seventh inning tied at 1. In the eighth, the Mets had two in scoring position with nobody out and the bases loaded with one out but were unable to drive in the go-ahead run. Indians reliever Joe Smith struck out Justin Turner and induced a grounder from Juan Lagares to strand all three Mets on the sacks.
A similar outcome awaited Cleveland in the bottom of the inning, which right-hander Frank Francisco entered with men on first and second with one out. In his first Major League outing of the year, Francisco walked Yan Gomes but induced an inning-ending double-play grounder from Asdrubal Cabrera.
In the ninth, den Dekker led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Anthony Recker. After an Omar Quintanilla strikeout, Young came through with the game-winning hit.
"I was just looking for a pitch up in the zone that I could put a good swing on, and I got it," Young said. "Every game is important, especially to those guys, coming down the stretch. It was evident by the way they played and the way they used their pitchers today. Definitely a big win for us, being able to avoid the sweep and have a happy flight going back home here."
The Mets will return to New York on the heels of a 4-5 road trip that went though Washington, Atlanta and Cleveland.
The Indians got their run on Sunday in the sixth inning. After Dice-K retired the first two hitters, Jason Kipnis singled and Carlos Santana walked. That brought up Jason Kubel, who sent a liner up the middle that deflected off Matsuzaka. Dice-K could have continued, but Collins replaced him with Vic Black anyway. With his second pitch, Black hit Cabrera to bring a run in, but shortly after he retired Jason Giambi to end the inning.
The Mets jumped on the board earlier in the game. In the fourth inning, Turner led off with a homer off Tribe starter Danny Salazar for his second long ball of the season. In the series, Turner went 5-for-12 with two homers, four RBIs and four runs scored.
Turner's homer was Salazar's only blemish. In just four innings, he racked up eight strikeouts. Salazar also allowed four hits and a pair of walks.
He was not, however, as impressive as Dice-K.
"We watched him all year in Triple-A," said Tribe manager Terry Francona, who also managed Matsuzaka in Boston. "This was the best by far his command has been with his breaking ball."
"You knew he was going to pitch a good game," said Giambi, who got his 2,000th career hit on Sunday. "You can't get too dialed up against him, because he tries to control the at-bat. He takes his time. He knows what he wants to throw. He's a veteran pitcher and he throws everything for a strike. It's hard to have a good game plan and reel off a bunch of hits, because he really slows down the momentum."
Before the game, Collins talked about how Dice-K was looking forward to facing the team that kept him in the Minors all year. Afterward, Matsuzaka expressed nothing but gratitude toward the Indians' organization for providing him with a chance to play.
Matsuzaka signed with the Mets on Aug. 22 and was activated the next day. He got the loss in each of his first three starts while compiling a 10.95 ERA. In his outing prior to Sunday, he was tagged for six runs in three innings, and that got him to thinking.
"I think it was pretty much realizing that was the lowest I could go and accepting that for what it was," Matsuzaka said. "Once I got up on the mound today, I was really able to just focus on pitching and keeping it simple, and do what I'm supposed to do up there."


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In yoga that is dedicated to assisting people dealing with trauma, or trauma-sensitive yoga, great attention is also placed on the language the instructor uses to guide the participants through the various yoga moves, while still focusing on the breath.
In yoga, the breath is used as a way to center the body and mind. A yoga instructor will ask participants to focus on their breath as they gently move from position to position.
In yoga that is dedicated to assisting people dealing with trauma, or trauma-sensitive yoga, great attention is also placed on the language the instructor uses to guide the participants through the various yoga moves, while still focusing on the breath.
Kristal Perry-Gutierrez teaches "Healing Through Yoga" at Namaste Yoga Center in Springfield, Ill.
"I've been teaching yoga for 16 years, and this is a very different way of teaching," she says.
In other forms of yoga, the instructor tells participants what to do as they move from step to step. In trauma-sensitive yoga, "we give them options gently, rather than telling them. We invite them; we encourage them. We just gently coach them into an awareness of a situation in the body," she explains.
"We use words like notice, investigate, experiment, curious ... language of inquiry. The purpose of using this kind of language is to build up tolerance to sensation," she says.
Many people who have experienced trauma, "they haven't had a choice often. They haven't had a choice presented to them," Perry-Gutierrez says.
In trauma-sensitive yoga, the language of the instructor reflects choices.
"The choice and control always remain with them," she says.
Perry-Gutierrez received her master's degree in human development counseling from the University of Illinois-Springfield. She was a yoga student at the time and decided to incorporate yoga into her master's project.
"I decided to do yoga with children who had been sexually abused. I did a yoga course for eight weeks, twice a week with girls between the ages of 7 and 11," she says. The girls gave her feedback with comments like, "Yoga helps you get the bad stuff out," and "Yoga helps you be less afraid."
"It was a qualitative study, and the results were pretty significant," she says.
The skills developed while practicing the ancient discipline of yoga can assist trauma victims in several ways.
"Yoga helps people experience themselves in the present moment," Perry-Gutierrez says. "Trauma victims often are more oriented to past events and behave as though they are responding to past events."
The practice also emphasizes mindfulness.
"Mindfulness helps people build a connection with the body and a sense of self. The sense of self is intrinsically altered after trauma," she says.
"We go along in our world, and we feel pretty safe most of the time. But when you're going along in the world and someone runs head-on into you in a car accident, then suddenly your whole sense of safety is intrinsically altered, and your sense of self and your ability to feel secure is altered."
Yoga helps trauma victims become reacquainted with their bodies.
"Many people who have experienced trauma may not even notice their body. It's a way for them to befriend the body and remember what they already know but may have forgotten. They can learn how to use the body as a resource to help them calm down and return to a normal state of awareness (when they find themselves dealing with flashbacks or other trauma-induced stress)."
Colleen Dracos of Springfield has been participating in Perry-Gutierrez's class for two months and says it's different each time she goes.
"It helps me alleviate anxiety. It helps alleviate depression and fear. What happens is you develop trigger points for the abuse you have suffered, whether it's physical, emotional or verbal," Dracos says.
"Yoga helps you figure out what those (triggers) are and develop the realization that you are no longer balanced or centered, and you need to get back to center. It's a process."
This class was her first experience with yoga, and it's made a difference in her life.
"When you have trauma, you actually lose the ability to sleep at night. After my first class with Kristal, I was amazed I could just go home and sleep. That's very significant," she says.
She attends yoga class once a week and says she walks out with a smile on her face and a peaceful feeling that nearly lasts until the next session.
"It's almost as if life returns," she says, describing the effects the class has on her.
While Perry-Gutierrez's class is open to the public, her goal is to keep the class small.
"We want it to be a safe place where people can create community connections," she says. For those interested in taking the class, she likes to speak with them beforehand to discuss trauma-sensitive yoga and to determine if the class is an appropriate fit.
-- BeHealthySpringfield (Ill.)